Columbus businessman facing sexual harassment suit

A sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed in federal court against a Columbus businessman.

In a complaint filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court in Aberdeen, Shawn Carter alleges that she was sexually harassed by her former employer, Chris Glenn, while she worked as a secretary at Glenn Machine Works.

The complaint, which is one side of a legal argument, claims Carter was sexually harassed by Glenn, the company's vice president, while she was employed from May until October 2012.

The complaint states: "Christopher Glenn acted to create and maintain a hostile work environment for the plaintiff because of her gender by engaging in the following behavior: sexual harassment, comments and unwanted touching."

The complaint also said: "The defendant, Christopher Glenn, coerced the plaintiff into having sexual relations with him. (The) plaintiff felt apprehensive that she may lose her job because of her gender and sex if she refused the advances of Christopher Glenn."

The complaint says Carter and Glenn were engaged in a sexual relationship and were later confronted by Carter's husband. Carter was fired from Glenn Machine Works shortly after the confrontation.

The complaint states that when Carter applied for unemployment, her request was opposed by Glenn Machine Works.

Carter filed a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in October 2012 and was a granted a "right to sue."

Carter is being represented by Columbus attorney Chuck Easley.

"It's terrible that in this time and age, any woman is treated like this by an employer," Easley said.

Glenn was unavailable for comment.

Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.